Do You Know What Today Is?

We're not sure if you were aware, but it's World AIDS Day today. Now, we're not your mother, and we're not here to scold you, but if you think we're out of the woods when it comes to the disease, you'd be all sorts of wrong. While we live in 2010 and we have cars that can park themselves and a trillion songs in the palm of your hands and soda with no calories, we still do not have a cure for AIDS, and that means there are people in the world who are still suffering from the disease. Not good, people. No matter who you are, what your religion, race or sexual preference, no human should have to live with any illness.

Luckily, more and more people are becoming aware of the issue, which is good. But awareness isn't all. We need people to give time and money to the cause to create change. We felt that it couldn't hurt to share with you some of the creative, interesting and fabulous things that different people and organizations have cooked up for this day of awareness that will hopefully serve as the impetus for worldwide change.

• HBO has teamed up with (RED), director Spike Jonze (who serves as producer on this project), director Lance Bangs to create the film The Lazarus Effect which sheds light on the positive repercussions that the proper medical treatments can yield for those with AIDS. You can watch it on YouTube here.
• Alan Cumming, one of (RED)'s celebrity ambassadors is keeping you up-to-date on all the latest news on his blog.
• If you want to get all art-y, you can contribute an image and a story to the 2011 Fight HIV Your Way contest and if your work is chosen then the Alvin Ailey Dance Company will present a dance piece based on your story for World AIDS Day 2011.
• Hm, have you noticed your Twitter feed is a little pathetic today? Kim Kardashian hasn't been chirping on about any little thing that pops in her damn head? Well that's because some of your favorite artists (ummmm...we're not sure we'd classify Kim or Ryan Seacrest artists, but just go with us on this one) are imposing a virtual death upon themselves, starting today, until $1 million is raised for the charity Keep a Child Alive. But we already told you that.
• Oh! And if you're real lazy, just watch TV as always, but just make sure you switch the channel to Showtime. The Other City premieres there tonight. Again, things you already know, thanks to us.

After all, as the old saying goes, knowledge is power.